NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – The discovery of a portable methamphetamine lab in New Middletown puts one man behind bars.

Police say the unoccupied house on Main Street is directly across the street from a Dairy Queen and a church pre-school and that is disturbing because the process of cooking chemicals to make meth is highly dangerous.

The portable meth lab was found in the possession 32-year-old Joshua Jackson, who was arrested at the house. “We found methamphetamine on his person that he already cooked and he admitted to using some previously that morning,” said New Middletown Police Chief Vince D’Egidio.

The chief says this was his department’s first encounter with a meth lab, but knowing the dangers they immediately called in drug enforcement agents to secure the scene. “They went in there, after they suited up, and disabled it. Put it outside in the garage, rendered it safe so local officers could approach it and inventory it,” D’Egidio said.

Jackson, who is already on probation for meth-related charges in Louisiana, is facing felony charges for the illegal manufacturing of narcotics. He remains jailed in lieu of bond pending further court action.